Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Outside the grand Patrick Manor, the air hung heavy with an impending storm.

Ludwik stormed in, his crew in tow, only to find Justin sprawled on the ground at the entrance, unconscious and bathed in his own blood, his face barely recognizable.

"Mr. Lippert, Justin is... this doesn't look good," Felix gasped, the shock evident in his voice.

"He's not dead, but he might as well be. Too bad you were too late, Ludwik," Jarvis's voice cut through the tension as he nonchalantly kicked Justin in the head, eliciting no response.

A cold fury flashed in Ludwik's eyes as he fixed his gaze on Jarvis. "Felix, get this on video. Call the cops! Justin's been turned into a cripple by Jarvis."

Jarvis withdrew his foot, smirked, and tossed a check onto Justin's body, his gaze arrogantly fixed on Ludwik. "Falling from grace, Ludwik? I'd love to see what calling the cops will do for you. Everyone in Emperor City knows Justin's a serial womanizer. If this gets out, who would say he didn't have it coming?"

Ludwik, hands behind his back, squinted menacingly. "And what about Carson's wife? Any witness statements? Any medical reports? What's your relationship with Carson, Jarvis? By what right do you take vengeance on Justin on his behalf? Or is this just your way of silencing Justin for good?"

Jarvis was momentarily taken aback by Ludwik's sharp insight.

The two men locked eyes, an unspoken battle raging between them.

Jarvis broke into a sinister laugh, leaned in, and whispered, "Caught on, have you? Too bad. He's a goner now, all because he let his guard down and fell for my trap. Oh, and believing I'd help him take over the CEO position? What a fool."

Ludwik's eyes were stormy seas. In a flash, he grabbed Jarvis by the collar. "Where's Parker? You and Justin, working together-what have you done to Parker?"

Jarvis feigned innocence, but his eyes betrayed him. "Blaming your cousin, are you? That's rich. As for Parker, how would I know? The only person who might've known can't speak anymore."

Jarvis's gloating laughter was the last straw for Ludwik, who responded with a punch.

Jarvis staggered but quickly regained his composure, grabbing Ludwik's hands. "Think you're still the untouchable scion of Harmonia Country? Let me tell you, Ludwik, you've already fallen from your pedestal, soon to be nothing more than a washed-up nobody. You thought you had me when you took down my Jar Rail Corporation. But this time, I'm one step ahead. Without the data from WisdoChip Co., what can you possibly do against Weiman Technologies? And speaking of Weiman Technologies, you should've guessed who's behind it by now. Too bad, even with your sharp instincts, you're too late."

"Jarvis!" A deep, leisurely voice intervened. "Enough talk. Since Justin is already finished, let's not be too harsh. Let Ludwik take him."

Ludwik's gaze snapped toward the man emerging from the manor-the imposing figure of Wade!

Wade, with a confident smirk, locked eyes with Ludwik. "You never saw it coming, did you? That the Patrick Group would one day surpass the Lippert family?"

Clutching his fists, Ludwik cursed his oversight. He had failed to see Wade's true colors, even after numerous confrontations with Jarvis. Wade had been the mastermind all along, quietly rising to power with the Patrick Group, with Thea playing a crucial role.

What was the connection between these three? Were Thea and Wade siblings?

As Ludwik's mind raced, his eyes reddened with rage. "Wade, is it? I've been looking forward to meeting you!"

"Surround them!" Jarvis ordered,

caught off guard by Ludwik's

defiance. Some men are born with an inherent dignity and ferocity, qualities Jarvis lacked. Envy flashed in his eyes as he commanded his bodyguards to attack. "Ludwik, this is Patrick territory now. You're no longer in a position to challenge the Patrick Group's chairman. The Lippert family is falling, and soon, it will be nothing but a distant memory."

Wade chuckled. "Indeed, Jarvis will soon take over the Lippert family, becoming the unrivaled scion of Harmonia Country."

Jarvis, now more arrogant and vindictive, glanced towards the driveway and sneered. "Oh, you might not be as free as you think, Ludwik. Kidnapping another man's wife is a crime, you know."

His taunt hung in the air, heavy with implication, just as a squad of police officers walked through the door.

The lead officer took a quick survey of the mansion's interior before his gaze firmly settled on Ludwik. He strode briskly towards the stoic man. "You're Ludwik? Do you know Bryce and Keegan?"

"They've filed a report claiming you've kidnapped Bryce's wife, who happens to be Keegan's niece."

"We need you to come with us to the station for questioning."

Ludwik's expression remained as unreadable as a frozen pond.

Felix, caught off guard, was visibly shaken. "Mr. Lippert, how did it come to this?"

"Ludwik, just go with them to clear things up. As of now, your title as the top bachelor of Harmonia Country is officially revoked."

Jarvis snickered, clearly enjoying the turn of events.

Ludwik, his face still an emotionless mask, turned to him. Why would Bryce call the cops?

Then it hit him, his eyes narrowing sharply. "Jarvis, what exactly is your deal with Bryce?"

Jarvis's expression flickered before

he smirked, "Not much, but isn't it obvious we have a common enemy in you? Besides, Bryce and Whitney just got their marriage license, Why wouldn't he take this chance to get his wife back?"

Ludwik's brows furrowed deeply. Despite Jarvis's denial, Ludwik

sensed that there was more to the story. With the Lippert family under siege and Jarvis closing in, along with the Patrick family's relentless attacks and Bryce's continuous accusations, it all seemed like a well-planned trap, ensnaring him further into a whirlpool of chaos.noveldrama

"Ludwik, you need to come with us now."

The officer urged, pulling out handcuffs and securing them around Ludwik's wrists.